Schimmel Nelson is one of my favorites. I did a thorough study of them because my Mammoth VCG is loosely based on Fridolins vertical double escapement action. i have factory photos, employee lists and Pics of the whole crew, brochures, detailed instrument plans, and patents. And yet there was no indication that they ever used bridge agraffes. Oh well.
Briefly,
Fridolin was born in Bavaria, came to the U.S, worked for Mehlin, then Bush and Gertz, then with partner formed Schimmel & Nelson. They roughly had 20 employess. Only produced for 4 years. Then F. Schimmel went solo ownership until WW1, then closed down his piano making career and focused on inventing furniture designs and tools. He invented rotary planer blades among other stuff.
-chris
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Chernobieff Piano Restorations
"Where Tone is Key"
chernobieffpiano.com
grandpianoman@protonmail.comLenoir City, TN
865-986-7720
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-14-2021 20:02
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: Brass Bridge on 1902 upright????
What's a Fairbault Schimmel? Grand/Upright? Made by the current Schimmel?
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Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
Original Message:
Sent: 10-14-2021 19:54
From: Larry Messerly
Subject: Brass Bridge on 1902 upright????
My Fairbault Schimmel had these. Extremely clear right to 88
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Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
Original Message:
Sent: 10-14-2021 19:39
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Brass Bridge on 1902 upright????
Instead of replacing the string, cut it at the tuning pin, thread it through the hole, and then do a splice. Save and use the old string if you possibly can so you, and the customer, don't have to suffer through the new string stabilizing.
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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
Original Message:
Sent: 10-14-2021 19:13
From: David Dewey
Subject: Brass Bridge on 1902 upright????
The piano reacts like any upright, and seems to be fairly stable, I don't notice any tonal changes from one note to the next, but I am curious as to why the agraffes are reversed like that.
Yes, could take some of the top notes and use those parts down in the scale where there are two broken ones. I will have to replace at least on string on each one as the center string goes right through a hole, but the outer two don't. Hmm, I wonder if I have my friend put a slot between the two mounting screws, and then I wouldn't have to replace strings. Hmm Would that weaken the piece too much?
David
Original Message:
Sent: 10/14/2021 6:56:00 PM
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: RE: Brass Bridge on 1902 upright????
With no bridge pin to flagpole, I would be very interested to learn what, if any, false beats you get out of this piano when you tune it. Also, since these "agraffes" reverse position every other one, with one side pressing down and the other side lifting up, I would be interested in possible tonal differences every other note. Can you hear a difference between notes where the strings are pressed down on the front side of the bridge vs strings that are pushed down on the back side of the bridge?
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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
Original Message:
Sent: 10-14-2021 13:11
From: David Dewey
Subject: Brass Bridge on 1902 upright????
A closer pic, would have to be when I go visit my friend again, will have to pull the action. However, here is an enlarged portion of the photo that I think shows them well. Each one is fastened to the bridge with two small screws, and they are different from front to back, every other one is mounted opposite too. They are a C shape, with the screws at the middle of the C. The base ones are completely different however, and those all appear to be in good order.
Original Message:
Sent: 10/14/2021 7:53:00 AM
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: RE: Brass Bridge on 1902 upright????
Those are bridge agraffes. ANy chance you could get a good clear close-up of one?
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Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
Original Message:
Sent: 10-14-2021 00:55
From: David Dewey
Subject: Brass Bridge on 1902 upright????
Friend of mine has his Grandfather's piano, a Henderson, that has been in family since new--his Grandfather worked for the piano manufacturer, Ann Arbor Organ Company (actually founding family, Allmendinger). I worked on it for him, and discovered this very strange bridge arrangement, never seen one before, look at photo. Some of them have broken, but since he's a machinist, he figures he can make new ones (and I think he can)--we are thinking that the parts are not likely available, but thought I'd ask around!
David Dewey